Paludiculture

Technical articles - NBSOIL

Paludiculture Paludiculture Peat bog Organic matter Pasture

Climate change and the degradation of our ecosystems call for innovative solutions for land management. Among them, paludiculture is emerging as a promising approach, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture on peat soils (Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme, n.d.; Wetlands International, 2021).

What is paludiculture ?

The term "paludiculture" (from the Latin palus, meaning marsh) refers to the productive use of wet and rewetted peatlands (Wetlands International, 2021). Unlike traditional agricultural practices that require draining peatlands (Williams, 1990b), which leads to soil degradation and significant greenhouse gas emissions, paludiculture aims to maintain a high water level—ideally near or above the soil surface—to preserve the peat body and associated ecosystem services (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.; Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme, n.d.; Wetlands International, 2021). It can involve harvesting spontaneous vegetation or cultivating specific plants adapted to wetland environments (Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme, n.d.).

Why is it Crucial? Challenges and Solutions

Historically, vast areas of peatlands have been drained for agriculture, forestry, or peat extraction (Williams, 1990b). This drainage has major environmental consequences:

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions : Drained peatlands release considerable amounts of CO2​ and N2​O into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change (Pärn et al., 2018; Taft et al., 2017). Carbon emissions due to the conversion of peatlands to arable land in the northern hemisphere reached 72 billion tonnes between 850 and 2010 (INRAE, 2021).
• Soil Subsidence : The drying of peat leads to its degradation and land subsidence, making the land unsuitable for conventional agriculture in the long term (Nieuwenhuis & Schokking, 1997; Wetlands International, 2021).
• Loss of Biodiversity : Drainage destroys these precious habitats (Ouvrage collectif, 2021).

Paludiculture responds to these challenges by :

• Drastically Reducing GHG Emissions : By keeping soils wet, it minimizes the decomposition of peat and the emissions of CO2​ and N2​O, while also allowing for carbon sequestration (Gini & Piva, 2019; Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.; Heinrich Böll Foundation, n.d.; Wetlands International, 2021). A reduction of 15 to 30 tonnes of CO2​-eq per hectare per year is possible compared to common agricultural practices on drained peatlands (Gini & Piva, 2019).
• Preserving Biodiversity : It recreates habitats for rare and threatened species, such as nesting birds, amphibians, and small mammals (Ouvrage collectif, 2021). Paludicolous birds, for example, are favored by reeds that grow in irrigation and drainage canals (Mallet et al., 2022).
• Improving Water Quality and Retention : Paludiculture plants can purify water by trapping pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus (Gini & Piva, 2019; Bolpagni et al., 2003). They also contribute to hydrological regulation, reducing the risk of floods and droughts (Blöschl et al., 2019).

Paludiculture Plants and Products

Paludiculture allows for the production of various renewable resources:

• Food and Fodder : Some plants like common reed (Phragmites) or cattail (Typha) can be used as animal fodder (Mulholland et al., 2020). Nettle (Urtica dioica) is also a potential crop (Mulholland et al., 2020).
• Building Materials and Fibers: Reed is traditionally used for thatched roofs and can be used to make insulating panels (Gini & Piva, 2019; Lacep, n.d.). Cattail (Typha) is also being considered for construction and insulation materials (Mulholland et al., 2020).
• Bioenergy : Biomass from paludiculture (reed, cattail, alder, canary grass) can be used for the production of biogas, solid fuels (briquettes, pellets), or for heat through direct combustion, thus replacing fossil fuels (Autorenkollektiv Greifswald, 2009; FiBL Schweiz, n.d.; Gini & Piva, 2019; Mulholland et al., 2020).
• Horticulture : The cultivation of sphagnum (Sphagnum farming) provides a high-quality raw material for peat-free growing media (Mulholland et al., 2020).
• Other uses : Biomass can also be used for bio-based chemicals (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, bioplastics) (Gini & Piva, 2019), or for activities like extensive farming (e.g., water buffalo for landscape maintenance) (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.).

Paludicultural plants and utilisation options (selection)

	English name	Latin name	Most promising uses	Other uses
Uptake of cultivation very likely	Peat moss	Sphagnum spp.	Founder material for restoration and Sphagnum farming Orchid cultivation Horticultural growing media replacing peat substrates for carnivorous plants, for vivaria with amphibians, reptiles and spiders, substrate for hanging baskets, wreathes and vegetation walls	Insulation and packaging material Food preservation Medical dressings, diapers, and sanitary towels Sphagnum extracts as source of natural sunscreen
	Sundew	Drosera rotundifolia	Medicinal uses	Vegetarian rennet for cheese making
	Cattail, Bulrush	Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia	Insulation material Filling material (seed hairs) Construction material Packaging and disposable tableware Horticultural growing media replacing peat Fodder Pollen for feeding predatory mites (pest control in glasshouses)	Combustion Biogas Extraction of proteins
	Reed	Phragmites australis	Thatching material Insulation material Construction material Packaging and disposable tableware Fodder Combustion	Paper Biogas Liquid fuels Extraction of proteins Silicon from reed leaves for high‐ performance energy storage devices
	Giant cane	Arundo donax	Combustion	Biogas
	Reed Manna Grass	Glyceria maxima	Fodder	Biogas Extraction of proteins
	Reed canary grass	Phalaris arundinacea	Packaging and disposable tableware Panels Fodder Bedding Combustion	Paper Biogas Liquid fuels Extraction of proteins
	Sedges	Carex spp.	Packaging and disposable tableware Panels Fodder Bedding Combustion	Paper Biogas Liquid fuels Extraction of proteins
	Alder	Alnus glutinosa	Timber for carpentry, interior fittings, furniture Veneer Combustion
	Willow	Salix spp.	Fodder Weaving material (e.g. baskets)
	Bog Myrtle	Myrica gale	insect repellent flavour (e.g. beer) medicinal uses, cosmetics
	Cranberry	Vaccinium oxycoccos	Food (e.g. berries, juice)
	Black Chokeberry	Aronia melanocarpa	Food (e.g. berries, juice)	Medicinal uses
Further promising plants for paludiculture	Wild rice	Zizania aquatica, Z. palustris	Cereal
	Japanese Millet	Echinochloa esculenta	Food fodder
	Celery	Apium graveolens	Vegetable
	Water Pepper	Persicaria hydropiper	Spicy leaf vegetable
	Holy Grass	Hierochloe odorata	Flavour (e. g. for drinks)
	Calamus	Acorus calamus	Flavour (e.g. for drinks), cosmetics
	Water mint	Mentha aquatica	Flavour, tea Perfumery
	Cloudberry Blueberry	Rubus chamaemorus Vaccinium myrtillus	Food (e.g. jam, juice)
	Bogbean, buckbean Meadowsweet Valerian Butterbur Garden Angelica Alder Buckthorn Gypsywort Water Dropwort	Menyanthes trifoliata Filipendula ulmaria Valeriana officinale Petasites hybridus Angelica archangelica Frangula alnus Lycopus europaeus Oenanthe aquatica	Medicinal plants (e.g. pharmaceuticals, cosmetics)
	Duckweed fern	Azolla filiculoides	Fodder Fertiliser (N‐fixation)	Food Protein extraction
	Duckweed	Lemna spp.	Fodder	Protein extraction

Issues and Perspectives for Soil Professionals

The transition to paludiculture represents an agricultural paradigm shift that requires significant adaptations (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.).

• Technical and Operational Challenges : Implementation often requires construction work to raise water levels, the acquisition of new equipment adapted to wet soils (low-pressure vehicles), and the development of new harvesting and processing methods (Geurts & Fritz, 2018). Risks of moisture-related damage to infrastructure can also occur, although they can be minimized through good planning and structural adjustments (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.).
• Political and Economic Framework: It is crucial to define clear agricultural policies and financial incentives (subsidies, area-based payments) to encourage farmers to adopt paludiculture (Geurts & Fritz, 2018; Heinrich Böll Foundation, n.d.; Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme, n.d.). The creation of viable markets for paludiculture products is also essential to ensure their profitability (Heinrich Böll Foundation, n.d.). The sale of "carbon credits" can offer additional economic benefits (Gini & Piva, 2019). However, doubts persist regarding economic viability and political clarity, which complicates long-term planning for landowners and users (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.; Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme, n.d.).
• Social Acceptance : The shift to paludiculture can be perceived as a loss of productive land or familiar landscapes (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.). Awareness-raising and engagement of local communities are fundamental to overcoming these hesitations and promoting the emergence of integrated regional projects (Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.).

Despite these challenges, paludiculture offers considerable potential for the development of more sustainable and resilient agriculture (Geurts & Fritz, 2018; Greifswald Moor Centre, n.d.). It makes it possible to reconcile agricultural production with environmental preservation, thereby contributing to both the fight against climate change and the restoration of biodiversity (Geurts & Fritz, 2018). Collaboration among farmers, natural area managers, research organizations, and policy-makers is key to the success and expansion of this essential practice.

References

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• Blöschl, G., Hall, J., Viglione, A., Perdigão, R. A. P., Parajka, J., Feigl, H., ... & Arheimer, B. (2019). Changing climate both increases and decreases European river floods. Nature, 573(7772), 108–111. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1495-6

• Bolpagni, R., Bartoli, M., & Viaroli, P. (2003). Caratterizzazione di acque, sedimenti e idrofite nella Riserva Naturale Paludi di Ostiglia [Characterization of water, sediments and hydrophytes in the Paludi di Ostiglia Nature Reserve]. Studi Trentini di Scienze Naturali, Acta Biologica, 80, 169–174.

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